“I can’t think of a better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself” – Emma Stone

It’s something we all want to say we’re doing, but the truth is that staying true to yourself is incredibly difficult. It’s something that requires a lot of integrity and self-acceptance, not to mention a hell of a lot of ambition! The journey towards self-acceptance is an extremely long and difficult challenge, although it’s one that’s necessary in the search for true happiness.

This is the hardest lesson I’ve ever had to learn, and it’s taken me over twenty years to truly let it sink in. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I no longer care about what anybody says or thinks about me. That’s something that will never completely disappear. However, I can now say that I’m a lot more confident than I used to be (even a year ago) and the opinions of others don’t bother me anywhere near as much as they used to.

One of my biggest regrets is that I delayed starting this blog because I worried what people might think. Looking back, I have no idea why it mattered that much to me. This blog is one of the best things I’ve ever done! It’s opened up so many amazing opportunities I never would have gotten before and I’ve met so many amazing people because of it. It’s crazy to think that I almost didn’t start blogging because I was worried about other peoples opinions.

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The problem with our society

In todays society, I feel that it’s so easy to get caught up in other peoples lives. The problem is, we see their lives through the perception they’ve created both through social media and in the real world. What’s important to remember is that you’re only seeing a small percentage of their life; the part they want you to see. So that girl who seems like she has the absolute perfect life… that’s almost certainly not the truth. Nobody’s going to show you all the crap that goes on behind closed doors because that’s personal and private.

It’s so easy to create the image of a perfect life through social media. Instagram is a platform designed to showcase the all the highlights rather than anything negative. You’re going to see flawless selfies, happy couples and people looking like they’re having the time of their lives. Why? Because that’s what people want to share with their friends, families and even strangers. What you don’t get to see is the real stuff going on in that persons life.

This isn’t exclusive to social media. Even the people you see in real life (sometimes the people you’re closest to) manage to hide an awful lot. The truth is, nobody wants you to see the bad side to their life. Everybody wants to pretend they have this brilliant life with no problems at all, and that’s perfectly okay. Nobody is obligated to share anything with other people. It’s just important to remember that what you’re seeing is a very small percentage of something much bigger.

I know it might sound cliche, but I really do think that in the pursuit of happiness, the number one rule is to stop comparing yourself to others. I know it’s hard when literally every single news outlet and social media platform’s predominant focus is to portray the ‘perfect’ life, but that’s all it is; a portrayal. None of it is real. It’s just a form of advertisement to make you believe that they have their lives together.

At the end of the day, you have to have the courage to live life the way you want to. Don’t do something just because someone says you should or because you want to be like someone else; do it because you want to and because you know it will truly make you happy.

What I’m really trying to say is that life is pointless if you spend it trying to be like someone else. You will never be able to be anyone other than yourself and it’s so important that you realise that and learn how to accept who you are. You’ll never really be happy until you do.

Self-acceptance isn’t something that’s going to come to you overnight, or even five years from now. It will be a very long process, but one that is absolutely worth it! Realising that the things you see on social media, and the way people present themselves, isn’t alway true is the first step.

69 Comments

Love this post . I also took forever to start my blog for the same reason . But like you said blogging is a great experience. You meet great people and you are engaging with positive people who are supportive. I love that you’re so aware at such a young age. Keep striving and keep paving the way.

Oh I totally put off starting my blog and YouTube because I was afraid of what others would think. Even now after over a year I still don’t just tell anyone but instead keep it secret from colleagues and even some friends!

Loved this post because I too am workin at starting to care less about other people’s opinions and focus more on what is true to who I am.

You’ve definitely got to do things at your own pace! I don’t share my blog with everyone but I don’t keep it a secret anymore. If someone wants to read it or they find it then cool haha. I’m glad you enjoyed my post!

This is so relatable! I have a blog since forever but managed to keep it a secret from people IRL, however I feel that this fear that I have of them finding out keeps me from growing my blog more. I’m glad that you’ve moved on past it! Regarding comparison as a whole, I compare a lot but I’ve been actively trying to do it less as I’m aware how it triggers me.

Honestly don’t worry about it, you’d be surprised at the amount of support you get when you stop hiding your blog from people you know. And if they have something negative to say then their opinions aren’t really worth caring about x

Took me a while to get this lesson as well. At times I wish I got it earlier but then no regrets, I’m just glad I learned. Comparison is a very heavy burden to bare and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone else. Love the post

I did the same thing, he;d back on my blog because I over analyzed if it was good enough. I thought my blog was going to be boring because I didn’t have high quality photos and expensive clothes like my favorite blogger Camila Coelho. Now, I’m proud of my blog because it’s true representation of me. Everything I write about is from a real experience no hypothetical situations, literally lessons I’ve learned and new discoveries. It feels good to write about gaining weight or going to my first MLB game because it’s true and it’s ME. Anything you’re being yourself genuine and nice, you are automatically beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for sharing your experience! I feel like so many bloggers go through this and it’s so important for them to realise that other people don’t matter when it comes to their life and what they want to do with it!

Love the post! I was definitely filled with anxiety when starting the blog but I also felt like things would work out and that I will accomplish what I’m setting out to do. You’re so right about self-acceptance. It took a long time for me fully accept me for me and love the woman I becoming. Thanks for this post!

“At the end of the day, you have to have the courage to live life the way you want to.”

I agree with you so much on this! It’s so much easier said than done because you have a picture in your mind of what you want to do but because society is so mean and ruthless we are constantly second guessing ourselves. I truly love this post – you did your thing on this one.

Thanks for sharing this post, I often feel like I care too much about what other people think of me in someways and not at all in others, I’ll wear out there clothes and bright hair but I always worry about offending those around me with how I am. I love your honesty in this post 🙂

I put off starting a blog as well because I didn’t want people to make fun of me or judge me and now I really regret not starting sooner!
I absolutely loved this post! Definitely bookmarking this to look back on! ❤️

I feel that this is something that is so important but just as easily forgotten. Sometime you get so caught up in life, that you forget to check whether you doing the things you are for the right reasons and not for others. The most important thing though is that you are constantly improving and better understanding yourself, regardless of others’ opinions. Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
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This is so true! I agree with every word of this. Comparing yourself definitely causes so much misery. It’s so hard not to though, especially in the age of social media. It’s amazing if you can get to that point where you no longer care though x

I’ve had such a hard time not comparing myself to others!
When I was younger I would do it, but not as much as I have done it as an adult.
Once you get into a relationship, you might start to do it more too :/
Even so, I learned that trying to be someone I’m really not will make no one happy, not even myself.
This post is such a great reminder of that, so thank you for writing this <3

“you have to have the courage to live life the way you want to.” yes yes yes!! Such wise words! Thank you so much for sharing this. I feel like it’s something we need to really remind ourselves of often.

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Beautiful post! So many people put on a facade just to be accepted of because they fear judgment. We all have our fair share of b.s and getting comfortable with that idea is tough. It’s not easy living your truth but, it’s necessary.

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Such a good post and something everyone can relate to. I’ve only just started to tell people in my real life that I run my blog because I was always worried what people would think but everyone I’ve told has been so supportive!

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Love this post so much! I was the same in that I put off starting my blog for ages, because I’ve had YouTube channels before and got a lot of negative comments from people IRL. I think what you have to realise is that it doesn’t matter what people say, like you say as long as you’re happy.

I love your outfit in all the photos you included in this post it’s so nice! I completely agree with you about being afraid what people think about your blog, I’ve been doing this for 9 months now and I’ve only just started telling my close family and that’s because one of them found my blog instagram so I didn’t have much choice, I still haven’t told any of my friends because of what they might think about it! I wish I had more confidence!

Aw thank you! You’ll probably be presently surprised at the reaction you get if you tell your friends about it, and if not then they’re not really the type of supportive friends you need. Hope you find the courage soon x

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Love this post! I also delayed starting my blog because I was so focused on what other people will think, but I realised that it doesn’t matter what they think and if blogging makes me happy then I should do it! It’s so true that people only really show the positive side of their lives online and not the sad stuff. I sometimes get caught up in the whole perception that these people who I see on social media have a perfect life but it’s so important to remember that everyone’s life ISN’T perfect.

Loved reading this – I was reluctant to start my blog for the same reason but I’m glad I did it! It’s important to remember that your instagram/blog/whatever is a reflection of you, like other peoples’, and you shouldn’t compare yourself to others!